Photo: Honda
Not that long ago, Honda announced that it’s dropping diesel engines in Europe in favor of hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and all-electric vehicles. The Japanese automaker has high hopes for the CRV Hybrid in and beyond the Old Continent, but did you know there are more fuel-efficient alternatives out there?
Honda has just confirmed the U.S. pricing and EPA ratings for the compact crossover with hybrid assistance and all-wheel drive, namely $27,750 excluding freight as well as 38 miles to the gallon combined.
The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid comes to mind as the most popular alternative, but don’t forget that Ford has hybridized the Escape as well. Both return up to 40 miles per gallon on the combined driving cycle, and if you opt for the front-wheel-drive Escape Hybrid, expect up to 41 miles to the gallon.
Toyota’s contender is a little more expensive than the CR-V Hybrid at $28,350 excluding destination charge while the Ford starts at $29,755 with the all-wheel-drive option. In other words, Honda relies on the more aggressive pricing point to steal sales away from the CR-V Hybrid’s challengers.
The LX is the entry-level grade of the newcomer, which features the Honda Sensing suite of advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies as standard. Automatic climate control, automatic high beams, LED headlight technology, smart entry and push-button start, as well as a cargo cover are standard too, along with the flat-folding and 60/40-split rear seats.
In addition to the badging, the CR-V Hybrid differentiates itself from the ICE-only model with the power-flow meter in the digital gauge cluster as well as the three buttons located at the right of the push-button gear selector. These buttons engage the Sport, EV, and ECON driving modes.
The hybrid powertrain combines two electric motors and a four-cylinder engine running the Atkinson cycle, and the system’s total output ratings are 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque. It should be mentioned that the e-motors don’t drive the rear axle. Instead, Honda opted for an e-controlled clutch to engage the rear axle when wheel slippage is detected.
The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid comes to mind as the most popular alternative, but don’t forget that Ford has hybridized the Escape as well. Both return up to 40 miles per gallon on the combined driving cycle, and if you opt for the front-wheel-drive Escape Hybrid, expect up to 41 miles to the gallon.
Toyota’s contender is a little more expensive than the CR-V Hybrid at $28,350 excluding destination charge while the Ford starts at $29,755 with the all-wheel-drive option. In other words, Honda relies on the more aggressive pricing point to steal sales away from the CR-V Hybrid’s challengers.
The LX is the entry-level grade of the newcomer, which features the Honda Sensing suite of advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies as standard. Automatic climate control, automatic high beams, LED headlight technology, smart entry and push-button start, as well as a cargo cover are standard too, along with the flat-folding and 60/40-split rear seats.
In addition to the badging, the CR-V Hybrid differentiates itself from the ICE-only model with the power-flow meter in the digital gauge cluster as well as the three buttons located at the right of the push-button gear selector. These buttons engage the Sport, EV, and ECON driving modes.
The hybrid powertrain combines two electric motors and a four-cylinder engine running the Atkinson cycle, and the system’s total output ratings are 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque. It should be mentioned that the e-motors don’t drive the rear axle. Instead, Honda opted for an e-controlled clutch to engage the rear axle when wheel slippage is detected.
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